Heartless Thieves Ransack East Kilbride Charity Hub and Steal Christmas Gifts

A much-loved community charity in East Kilbride has been left devastated after heartless thieves broke into their town centre premises, ransacking the hub and stealing donations intended for needy children this Christmas.

The incident occurred overnight between Sunday, November 30, and Monday, December 1, 2025, at the popular Share Alike charity hub and cafe located on Cornwall Way.

Devastating Discovery

Volunteers arriving on Monday morning to open the hub were met with a scene of destruction. The glass panels of the front entrance doors had been completely smashed to gain entry. Inside, the premises had been systematically ransacked, with lockers forced open, files thrown about, and donation boxes missing.

Upon closer inspection, staff realized that the intruders had stolen hundreds of pounds in cash. This included a cash tin containing floats, daily takings from the cafe, and recent cash donations. Most upsettingly for the volunteers, the thieves also took several wrapped gifts and toys that had been donated by members of the public for the charity's annual Christmas Kindness appeal.

Impact on the Community

Share Alike is a vital lifeline in South Lanarkshire, providing food parcels, clothing, and support to families struggling with the cost of living. The annual Christmas appeal was in its final stages, aiming to distribute thousands of food hampers and toy bundles to local children who would otherwise go without on Christmas morning.

Founders and volunteers expressed their absolute heartbreak over the crime. "To steal from a charity is low, but to steal toys meant for underprivileged kids right before Christmas is truly despicable," one volunteer remarked. Despite the setback, the community has already started rallying, with local businesses and residents offering to replace the stolen cash and gifts.

Police Appeal

Police Scotland have launched an investigation into the break-in. A spokesperson confirmed: "Around 8:50 a.m. on Monday, December 1, police received a report of a break-in and theft at commercial premises on Cornwall Way, East Kilbride. Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing."

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the town centre overnight, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0601 of December 1, 2025, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.